Clicker or Open Dies:
These dies are bent to a pattern or sketch provided by the
customer. A simple definition of these dies is to equate
them to a “steel cookie cutter”.
They may be single or double edged and the most common heights
are 3/4” and 1 1/4”. Thickness of the steel ranges
from 1/8” to 3/16” to 1/4”. These types
of dies can also incorporate full or partial plates within
to carry cutouts, punches, and impression markers.
Clearance Dies:
Clearance
dies are a type of clicker die and can be
made on any single edge stock. The die is
made so the back of the die is larger than
the edge. This feature allows the cuts to
easily move up into the die providing and
promoting easy removal of the cut parts.
Forged High Dies:
Usually this term refers to dies made from steel
higher than 1 1/4”. Standard die heights are
2”, 2 1/4”, 3 1/2”, 4”,
and 5”. Dies such as these are used when cutting
multiple layers.
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They also
may be used when trimming a molded part. In
this case the height of the die wall allows
the molded piece to sit inside the cavity
of the die while the die knife cuts and trims
without crushing the molded part. |
Preground Steel Clicker Dies:
You may also hear these dies referred to as “Swedish” dies.
Many times they are used to run samples or short
runs. We purchase steel for this type of die in
coils, which comes ground to an edge and already
hardened. This type of steel is as hard as a regular
clicker die but only about 1/4” at the cutting
edge. The remainder of the wall of the steel is
not as hard. This enables us to still bend the
steel. Because of the weaker strength, a die out
of this steel will often be seen with more bracing
to aid in support of the die walls.
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